Immunologic and hematologic consequences in mice of exposure to ozone.

Immunologic and hematologic effects of continuous, chronic exposure of mice to ozone are reported. A consistent decrease was found in ability of spleen cells from exposed mice to engage in primary antibody formation. Results from an investigation of the possible presence of suppressor cells were inconclusive Separation of spleen cells into adherent and nonadherent populations revealed suggestive differences between normal and ozone-exposed mice. Among myelopoietic progenitors examined, CFU-S, CFU-GM, CFU-E, CFU-ME, and BFU-E, only the last two named were found to be altered after ozone exposure. The possible bases and implications of these findings are discussed.